By Qamar Bashir
In international relations, genuine friendships are tested not during moments of comfort, but amid adversity. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Istanbul to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was not merely ceremonial—it was deeply symbolic and strategically significant. It came in the wake of the four-day military confrontation between India and Pakistan (May 5–10, 2025), during which Turkey stood firmly by Pakistan’s side. In doing so, Turkey did not just display diplomatic courtesy, but reaffirmed a timeless and resilient brotherhood.
Sharif’s meeting with Erdogan was marked by warmth and fraternity. A photo he posted on social media—walking hand-in-hand with Erdogan—went viral as a powerful image of solidarity. “Had the honour of meeting my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul this evening,” Sharif wrote on X. “Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan-India standoff which resulted in Pakistan’s overwhelming victory, Alhamdolillah! Conveyed the sentiments of gratitude from the people of Pakistan to their Turkish brothers and sisters.”
Turkey’s support for Pakistan extended beyond verbal endorsements. Reports suggest that Turkish-manufactured drones played a tactical role in the conflict, helping Pakistan gain an upper hand. Ankara’s vocal alignment with Islamabad, despite its formal ties with India, marked a bold geopolitical stance that came with repercussions.
India, a global economic heavyweight, responded swiftly. Calls for boycotting Turkish goods began trending across Indian media. Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to prefer domestic travel over international destinations such as Turkey. More consequentially, the Indian Bureau of Civil Aviation Security revoked the operating clearance of Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi, which serviced major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. These measures reflect growing diplomatic strain and an increasingly adversarial posture from New Delhi toward Ankara.
Yet, Erdogan stood his ground. In a response to Sharif’s message, he reiterated, “We reaffirmed and strengthened our determination to enhance the deep-rooted historical, human, and political relations between Türkiye and Pakistan in all areas. May our Lord make our unity, togetherness, and brotherhood everlasting…”
Turkey’s consistent alignment with Pakistan is not new. From the Kashmir issue to global Islamic causes like Palestine and Gaza, Ankara has persistently echoed Pakistan’s voice. This enduring partnership has transcended changing governments, strategic calculations, or economic dependencies.
During Pakistan’s power crisis when Turkish floating power plants provided electricity to Karachi. Similarly, during natural disasters and political isolation, Turkey has always extended its hand. This is not transactional diplomacy—it is principled alignment born of shared faith, common causes, and historical memory.
The emotional bond stretches back to the Khilafat Movement in the early 20th century, when Indian Muslims rallied to save the Ottoman Caliphate. Though the movement eventually faded, Turks never forgot the solidarity of South Asian Muslims—a memory that remains alive in the hearts of both nations.
Sharif’s visit also reinforced the institutional mechanisms that underpin this friendship. The High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), co-chaired by both leaders, held its seventh session earlier this year in Islamabad, underscoring the continuity of engagement. Their recent discussions covered trade, defense, tourism, education, and media collaboration—areas ripe with potential.
Currently, the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Pakistan and Turkey, signed in 2022, grants tariff concessions to various products. In 2023, bilateral trade reached $602.9 million—with Pakistan exporting $352.1 million and importing $250.8 million worth of goods. However, this figure represents a fraction of the potential that exists.
According to economic analysts, bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkey can conservatively grow to $5 billion over the next five years if both sides implement the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), ease non-tariff barriers, and create export facilitation zones. Pakistan’s textile, leather, and sports goods can find major Turkish markets, while Turkey’s automotive parts, construction materials, and advanced defense equipment can fill key gaps in Pakistan’s industrial ecosystem.
Investment potential is equally significant. Turkish companies have already shown interest in Pakistan’s energy, construction, food processing, and logistics sectors. If Pakistan offers dedicated Turkish Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and ensures policy continuity, foreign direct investment from Turkey could increase from the current $200 million to over $1 billion by 2030. Joint ventures in shipbuilding, cement production, and tourism infrastructure are also under discussion.
Turkey’s transformation under Erdogan—from a turbulent parliamentary system to a relatively stable presidential model—also offers instructive lessons for Pakistan. Turkey has successfully redefined its civil-military relations, with its armed forces now playing a stabilizing, rather than interventionist, role.
In contrast, Pakistan’s political ecosystem has been mired in cyclical instability. A strong, transparent, and accountable governance model—similar to Turkey’s balance between democratic authority and institutional support—could serve as a framework for reform and progress in Islamabad.
The people-to-people connection between Pakistan and Turkey is one of the strongest elements of this bilateral relationship. Turkish television dramas have become a staple in Pakistani households, with Diriliş: Ertuğrul enjoying a cult following. Similarly, Pakistani dramas—famous for their emotional depth—are gaining traction in Turkey. During the visit, Sharif proposed formal cooperation in media content exchange, film production, and cultural diplomacy that echoes shared values and aesthetics.
During the formal bilateral meetings, the leaders explored new horizons in educational exchange, tourism development, and counterterrorism. Erdogan emphasized the value of cooperation in intelligence, technology, and internal security. Turkey’s advanced UAV and cybersecurity infrastructure could benefit Pakistan’s national security framework, particularly in border management and urban counterterrorism.
Educational collaboration, including scholarships, student exchanges, and faculty training programs, was also discussed. Erdogan offered assistance in developing Pakistan’s tourism sector, drawing from Turkey’s world-class experience in heritage conservation and hospitality.
Tourism potential between the two countries is largely untapped. In 2024, less than 50,000 Pakistanis visited Turkey, and fewer than 10,000 Turks visited Pakistan. With targeted initiatives and improved flight connectivity, this number can increase tenfold over the next decade—bringing not just revenue, but also cultural enrichment.
The friendship between Pakistan and Turkey is not based on shifting interests or short-term gains. It is a profound relationship shaped by Islamic brotherhood, cultural closeness, and historical solidarity. It has translated into multifaceted cooperation in trade, investment, defense, education, and humanitarian causes—and it continues to evolve.
As Pakistan reflects with gratitude on this enduring support, it looks forward with optimism to a future of even stronger ties—a future where the Pakistan-Turkey partnership becomes a model of strategic brotherhood for the world to emulate. The visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Ankara was not just an act of appreciation—it was a reaffirmation of a shared vision: to build a just, prosperous, and peaceful world, side by side.
By Qamar Bashir
Press Secretary to the President (Rtd)
Former Press Minister at the Embassy of Pakistan to France
Former MD, SRBC
Macomb, Michigan, USA
